brelic Posted September 29, 2014 Posted September 29, 2014 Man, that's some awful hockey by the Flyers. Ten minutes in the period, and it's 3-0 Rangers and we're being outshot like 12-1. It's more of the same from the Rangers - killing us with speed and crisp passing. I know it's preseason and we have a lot of rooks out there, so no reason to lose sleep over it. But, wow, MacDonald is bad. There's no way in hell he's worth $30M over 6 years. He does only one thing well - block shots. And that's fine of course - every team needs solid shot blockers. The Rangers blocked everything last year, and it was frustrating. But shot blocking is not a # 2 defenseman, 24 minutes a night kinda skill.
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Yea, that is some pretty horrible stuff going on, but again, pre-season, we all know what that means. For all we know, Berube and the Flyers are experimenting with different approaches, line combos, and styles of defense, and just trying to work out the kinks in exhibition games.Not saying he isn't trying to get his team to win them, but rather, perhaps he is taking some liberties with his personnel, seeing how far he can push them, or not push them, and if if all comes up 'fail' in the pre-season, at least those are things you SHOULDNT' see when the games count, as by that point, Berube should have seen what can work, and what simply doesn't. The Rangers themselves are going to have to work many things out on that team, and they certainly are NOT that far above anyone, let alone Philly, that a blowout on the scoreboard or in SOG will be a normal thing for them. Now....should the Flyers start the season PLAYING like they are in the pre-season, then, by all means, scream BLOODY MURDER!
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Flyers just got a what could be called a "flukey" goal, one that bounced off Lundquist and in on an open side... However, I am sure, given this exhibition scenario, that Coach Berube was more happy about the hard work done by the Flyers to not only battle behind the net, but keep the play in the zone and be aware enough to throw the puck at the net, than the actual goal. Regular season, he is probably saying, "Ok, boys, we got one, let's go get another, we have plenty of time left in this game"Pre-Season, I imagine it's more like, " Good work down low boys, that's what I want to see out of each and every line..do that, and the goals and wins will come"
brelic Posted September 30, 2014 Author Posted September 30, 2014 Yea, that is some pretty horrible stuff going on, but again, pre-season, we all know what that means. For all we know, Berube and the Flyers are experimenting with different approaches, line combos, and styles of defense, and just trying to work out the kinks in exhibition games.Not saying he isn't trying to get his team to win them, but rather, perhaps he is taking some liberties with his personnel, seeing how far he can push them, or not push them, and if if all comes up 'fail' in the pre-season, at least those are things you SHOULDNT' see when the games count, as by that point, Berube should have seen what can work, and what simply doesn't. The Rangers themselves are going to have to work many things out on that team, and they certainly are NOT that far above anyone, let alone Philly, that a blowout on the scoreboard or in SOG will be a normal thing for them. Now....should the Flyers start the season PLAYING like they are in the pre-season, then, by all means, scream BLOODY MURDER! Oh absolutely... There are a lot of AHL players in that lineup, so it's normal that they're going to really struggle as they learn the game. But there's really no excuse for MacDonald!! The Rangers might not be that far above the other teams in the East, but their system seems to wreak havoc against the Flyers.
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Ryan Haggerty on the Rangers side is putting on a clinic of just hard work and getting chances (and goals) from them. Nice stop by Mason on the first shot prior to his second goal, but Haggerty continued to dog the other Flyer skaters, and ended up in a position to get in on Mason again with a quality scoring chance that he capitalized on.
JackStraw Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 On the plus side, Morin looks great. Worlds better than he did in the rookie game against the Caps. He looks like an NHL player now, and a pretty good one at that. That said, I would still expect him to go back to juniors for this year.Ghost looked shaky in the 1st but better in the second. Bellamare has looked ok too, not bad for his first game. Alt has also looked good, still think he should be the first call-up on D.
OccamsRazor Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 But there's really no excuse for MacDonald! Especially when you're playing with the best Dman on the team no excuse....well let me correct that best dman on paper on the team i have some question myself about whats between Coburn's ears. But them two have more than enough experience under their belts.
OccamsRazor Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Bellamare has looked ok too, not bad for his first game It was just his 2nd game so i'll give him some acclimation time....but i noticed he went 4 for 4 in the faceoff circle which is much needed in the lineup can never have to many good f/o guys. Plus they can use his speed too.
murraycraven Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 That was basically an AHL lineup for the. FLYERS so really not concerned. Morin looks really good and the kid can really skate for a big man.McDonald and Coburn were awful...
brelic Posted September 30, 2014 Author Posted September 30, 2014 From Meltzer's blog this morning: The most concerning part of last night's game was how poorly the Flyers' top defensive pairing of Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald performed throughout the game. Both members of the pair were beaten off the rush by Haggerty on the second New York goal and were part of a weak penalty killing effort that ended in Mueller's power play goal after a virtual shooting gallery of rubber got fired on Mason's net from all angles. Quick: Name a top pairing in the NHL that is worse that Coburn/MacDonald. The good news is: The brightest spot for the Flyers was the play of rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. The speedy offensive defenseman continued to show off a quick and accurate shot -- which found the net through traffic for the Flyers' third and final goal. It is also worth noting that rookie forward Taylor Leier has tallied goals in each of the last two games. Last night, Leier got the Flyers on the board early in the second period on a wraparound goal that went in off a sprawled Henrik Lundqvist (22 saves on 25 shots). Gostisbehere triggered the sequence by collecting a turnover by New York's J.T. Miller. He did struggle defensively in the 1st, but man, this guy is exciting to watch and makes things happen. He should make the team.
Mad Dog Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 I know it's only a pre-season and it's not the right time to start making any conclusions.... But God, could Coburn and McDonald look any more terrible... I know the Rangers played a strong lineup and the Flyers iced essentially the AHL-caliber one, but I don't know how much that influenced the fact that these two looked totoally atroceous in their own end. And these are supposed to be our two very important blueliners, who are slated to log some heavy minutes. This is scary. The sad part, Gost and Morin almost took these two to school. Sigh....
murraycraven Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 From Meltzer's blog this morning: Quick: Name a top pairing in the NHL that is worse that Coburn/MacDonald. The good news is: He did struggle defensively in the 1st, but man, this guy is exciting to watch and makes things happen. He should make the team. Coburn and MacD were terrible... MacD just allows so much space as a defender when the forward is coming across the blue line. His angling is really not angling at all as he allows the forward to make a play and then reacts. For all of the vile over Coburn at least he seems to have the fundamentals to turn the puck carrier outside. They were both bad in this game and I sure hope it gets better b/c Mason will be in trouble. Gost and Morin were very good. As you stated Brel Gost started off with some bad d-zone coverage but was able to bounce back and really play his game - really nice to see that type of makeup in a young player. The kid is a dynamic skater and he has a really good shot. Said it before and I will say it again - the Flyers really are going to have to make a tough decision with this kid. He still has yet to play a long season so not sure if he can keep up the pace for a full NHL season, but man, he is exciting. Morin was very impressive too... kid plays really big and is a much better skater than I thought! He looks like he is really not all that far off... As for Coburn and MacD as the top pairing - not sure if there is a worse pairing in the league. I love how the Flyers always talked about him being miscast on the Isles as a #1... yet, we sign this guy to a bloated contract and use him on the top pairing. I know it has changed with Kimmo out of the picture but I really do not see this guy as a #1/2 (or Coburn for that matter)... god help Mason this year if this keeps up.
canoli Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 and Mason had his share of trouble last night. The guy goes down so quickly...I understand he's a BF goalie but he goes down low - for a big guy he leaves a lot of room up top. They've been good shots that beat him - JVR, Haggerty - but nothing extraordinary.
brelic Posted September 30, 2014 Author Posted September 30, 2014 Coburn and MacD were terrible... MacD just allows so much space as a defender when the forward is coming across the blue line. His angling is really not angling at all as he allows the forward to make a play and then reacts. For all of the vile over Coburn at least he seems to have the fundamentals to turn the puck carrier outside. They were both bad in this game and I sure hope it gets better b/c Mason will be in trouble. Gost and Morin were very good. As you stated Brel Gost started off with some bad d-zone coverage but was able to bounce back and really play his game - really nice to see that type of makeup in a young player. The kid is a dynamic skater and he has a really good shot. Said it before and I will say it again - the Flyers really are going to have to make a tough decision with this kid. He still has yet to play a long season so not sure if he can keep up the pace for a full NHL season, but man, he is exciting. Morin was very impressive too... kid plays really big and is a much better skater than I thought! He looks like he is really not all that far off... As for Coburn and MacD as the top pairing - not sure if there is a worse pairing in the league. I love how the Flyers always talked about him being miscast on the Isles as a #1... yet, we sign this guy to a bloated contract and use him on the top pairing. I know it has changed with Kimmo out of the picture but I really do not see this guy as a #1/2 (or Coburn for that matter)... god help Mason this year if this keeps up. Agree with everything in your post. The painful thing is that we don't have anyone better to take on top pairing duties - Coburn and MacD are as good as it gets on this team right now. And I would put money on Ghost being sent to the Phantoms. That's kind of a shame, because there are two guys in camp that, IMO, are making a case to stay with the team at least for 5-10 games: Leier and Ghost. I would say Jones has earned a spot too. All three of them exhibit the same kind of traits - high energy, speed, and they keep their feet moving. Can't say the same for many of the veterans, unfortunately.
OccamsRazor Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 One of my biggest gripes last season about Amac is he is always conceding ice never challenges the shooter just back pedals till he runs ouf of realeste then might challenge or he'll just go for the block....to me this is the only reason he has so many blocked shots.No way in hell would I have signed his mediocre one demintinal ass to a 6 year deal....no friggin way.
murraycraven Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Agree with everything in your post. The painful thing is that we don't have anyone better to take on top pairing duties - Coburn and MacD are as good as it gets on this team right now. And I would put money on Ghost being sent to the Phantoms. That's kind of a shame, because there are two guys in camp that, IMO, are making a case to stay with the team at least for 5-10 games: Leier and Ghost. I would say Jones has earned a spot too. All three of them exhibit the same kind of traits - high energy, speed, and they keep their feet moving. Can't say the same for many of the veterans, unfortunately. I hear you Brel... the defense is really thin and I really think the loss of Kimmo is going to hurt this Team more than we thought. I realize Kimmo is a step slower and not the player he used to be but he really is a smart player. Both MacD and Coburn's mental capacity does equal one Kimmo T's brain. I know The Chief is really preaching Team defense which they need but i dont think any of us can expect this defense to perform above average. Gost, Morin and Streit have been the only dmen that look really good in the preseason. I just hope they can find a way to be decent... we shall see. I will say Leier has been outstanding and agree Jones has earned a spot. He has been a nice pickup and I would like to see him get a shot on the opening day roster. He deserves it... Gost will be sent down to the AHL for sure but man can the kid play. My son is in awe of his skating ability and the way he moves the puck... LOL!
Irishjim Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 That was basically an AHL lineup for the. FLYERS so really not concerned. Morin looks really good and the kid can really skate for a big man.McDonald and Coburn were awful...macdonald needs to go back to playing with shenn..del zotto should be paired with coburn..its all in the pairings remember shenn/mez...terrible b ut when shenn was paired with macdonald all of a sudden he could play a little D
murraycraven Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 @jim... I agreed... Schenn and MacD were a decent pair last year. So far the Coburn/MacD experiment has not given me the slightest of confidence that they can be a good pairing.
Podein25 Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 I hear you Brel... the defense is really thin and I really think the loss of Kimmo is going to hurt this Team more than we thought. I realize Kimmo is a step slower and not the player he used to be but he really is a smart player. Both MacD and Coburn's mental capacity does equal one Kimmo T's brain....Coburn has a brain?
flyercanuck Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Update: For those who like to call MacDonald "MacDaddy" (and I cringe everytime I hear it) how about using a nickname that he's actually earning? I give you....MacDud!
murraycraven Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 I give you....MacDud! May I claim that for my signature line FC? Brilliant!
Mad Dog Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Update: For those who like to call MacDonald "MacDaddy" (and I cringe everytime I hear it) how about using a nickname that he's actually earning? I give you....MacDud! MacDud ® ©
Podein25 Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Coburn has a brain?That's clearly Holmgren's brain. Coburn's has an extra part that kicks in only once he crosses the blue line. And not in a helpful way.
King Knut Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 I keep haring "a lot of AHL players". But haven't found the actual lineup. Who was playing?Oh absolutely... There are a lot of AHL players in that lineup, so it's normal that they're going to really struggle as they learn the game. But there's really no excuse for MacDonald!! The Rangers might not be that far above the other teams in the East, but their system seems to wreak havoc against the Flyers.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.